Artists offer guidance to Sisters teens

Deciding to pursue an education or career in any field can be a difficult decision. A group of artists at the White Sage Inn, located just outside of Sisters, is hoping that they can help young people determine if pursuing a life as an artist is the right choice.

They are conducting four instructional summer workshops in theater, industrial design, fashion design and grand sculpture. In addition to the longer workshops, a two-day intro-duction to watercolor painting techniques will be offered.

The courses will each run for two weeks, and students can expect an intensive, comprehensive introduction to daily life as an artist in the field they are considering.

"All of the instructors' careers are in the field they will be teaching in," said Lynn Rothan, co-instructor of the grand sculpture workshop. "The students will be able to learn from people actually doing this work for a living. They will leave with the skills to further their school and career choices."

"We are offering a taste of reality," said her co-instructor, Bob Sant. "It can be a fantasy for people as to what they think life as an artist can be. There is an 80 percent dropout rate at many art schools, and these workshops will help the students find out if they have what it takes. Parents are realizing that, with college being so expensive, you don't really have the option to go into college without knowing what you want to pursue."

"We want the students to emerge empowered in their art when they leave," said Elizabeth Rothan, theater workshop instructor. "I want them to think: 'Wow, I can write a play. Wow, I know how my body moves and works.'"

The workshops are designed to be both instructional and hands-on, culminating in the production of something tangible. The theater group will perform a piece in the community, the fashion design students will produce a fashion show, the industrial design students will complete a 3-D model of a unique product and its retail packaging concept, and the grand sculpture class will place a sculpture in the community.

Class sizes will be limited to a small number of students, and the process includes an application and admission process that is different for each workshop. The instructors have given informational presentations at every high school and college in the area and expect the spaces to fill soon. The costs for the courses range from $495 to $550, with some financial assistance available.

"Many of our students need financial assistance, and we have managed to acquire sponsors," said Elizabeth Rothan. "And, we are seeking more sponsors that want to support young artists in this way."

All courses will take place at the White Sage Inn, located at 17520 Cascade Estates Drive. The watercolor course takes place June 14-15. The theater workshops begin June 16, the industrial design course begins July 6, the fashion design course starts on July 20, and the grand sculpture course starts on August 3.

For more information visit http://www.whitesageworkshop.com or call 330-5606.